Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Basketball practice had started three days ago, and already Carson was impressed with Miss Debra’s son.
Caleb Connors might only be a sophomore, but he had an incredible work ethic and was already emerging as the team’s leader.
While several other players looked good in practice, Caleb already appeared to be in mid-season form.
On the other hand, the team’s previous star from the past two years, senior Drake Duncan, was a slacker in the classroom and on the court, at least during these early practices.
Jackson had told Carson that Drake waltzed through life, only turning on the steam when it was game time.
His assistant said that Sam had put up with Drake’s half-baked efforts in practice only because the boy was the most talented player on the team.
Carson had a very different philosophy.
He was going to bench Drake—unless the senior got his rear in gear.
It would cause a stir. He also knew Drake’s mom, Marge, would be a force he would have to reckon with. Carson would do what he needed to do, however, to ensure team unity.
He went to the front office, heading down a narrow hall to where staff mailboxes were located. He tried to stop by at least once a day to pick up his mail, not wanting it to stack up and miss something important.
“Coach Andrews?” a voice called.
Turning, he saw Edith Smith approaching. Edith taught senior English and had been Mila’s English teacher. Mila said Edith was tough but fair and even made Shakespeare interesting to the most bored student.
“Hey, Edith. How is your year going?”
“Splendidly.” She frowned. “Except for Drake Duncan, that is. Do you have a moment to discuss Mr. Duncan?”
Mentally sighing, Carson nodded. He glanced at the empty conference room across from the mailboxes. “Let’s step in here.”
They did so, and he closed the door to guarantee them privacy.
“I am a sports fan, Coach Andrews, but academics always come first for me. I know my course is not necessarily every student’s priority, but a passing grade is required to compete in UIL athletic events—and Mr. Duncan is teetering on the threshold of failure.
He passed the first grading period with a seventy-one. ”
He nodded. “I reviewed all players’ first report cards, Edith.
Even those outside basketball. I want to always have a handle on where players stand and have relevant conversations with their coaches to make sure grades are being kept up.
Where is Duncan now, grade-wise?” he asked, knowing that tomorrow, they would be halfway through the second six-weeks grading period.
“He sits on a sixty-five right now. Duncan turns in no daily work. He told me it wasn’t worth his time since it’s a smaller percentage of his grade. Said he doesn’t want to waste time on it.”
Carson grimaced. “Duncan said this to your face?”
Edith nodded. “He did. He’ll score a high grade on a test and then coast along.
I think instead of AI, he has his girlfriend write his essays, but I haven’t been able to prove that.
Occasionally, he will shine on a project, but as far as group work goes, he contributes nothing.
I just wanted to keep you informed, especially since he’s the team captain this year. ”
“Thank you for speaking with me, Edith. I’ll be talking to Duncan today.”
His stomach churning, he left the office area.
Conflict with a student was a part of the job, and many coaches dealt with players who only concentrated on the playing field and let the classroom portion of their lives slide.
The fact that Duncan was capable of excelling and chose not to do so really got to him.
He also didn’t like how the senior could be serving as a leader and chose not to.
He saw Mila approaching from the other end of the hall, and his heart grew lighter. Just catching sight of her made his step lighter.
“Hey, you,” she said, stopping to chat a moment.
“Ready for tonight’s final district games?” he asked.
Volleyball season was nearing its end. Mila’s varsity team was guaranteed to win district no matter how they fared in tonight’s match.
After a short pause at the end of October, the playoffs would dominate the month of November, with bi-district, area, regional quarterfinals and semifinals, and finally state taking place just before the Thanksgiving break.
On the other hand, basketball was just gearing up for him, with his team’s first scrimmage early next week.
They would complete play by mid-February, and then the playoffs would occur over the next three weeks.
He wasn’t ready to make any predictions as to where his team would wind up, especially with the Drake Duncan problem to deal with.
Mila smiled. “The girls are pumped, especially since they’ll end district play at home. The fact that it’s a bye week for football means that we should really draw the fans tonight. Are you ready for Bayfest tomorrow?”
She referred to the annual community fall festival, full of food trucks, craft booths, children’s activities, and contests.
They’d made plans to take Lily to it, along with Michael’s family, and make a morning and afternoon of it.
Dotty had promised to sit with the three kids tomorrow night so that the four adults could enjoy the bonfire held at the beach, along with a free concert.
“I’m looking forward to it. Bayfest will be the last bit of fun I get in before kicking things into high gear with basketball.”
“Then I guess I’ll see you tonight in the gym.”
Carson longed to give her a quick kiss, but they went out of their way to keep things professional on school grounds. The most he had ever done was kiss her cheek after a volleyball match and hold hands with her at one of the home football games.
“I’m off to practice soon. Seems I’ll be having a talk with Drake Duncan. Edith just gave me a heads up that he’s failing her class right now.”
Mila shrugged. “Drake is a hard nut to crack. He’s talented, but he’s lazy. At least that’s my take after having him in class last year. I hope he won’t prove to be too much of a problem to you, Carson.”
“Talk later.”
He returned to the field house, flipping through his mail, and then he and Jackson went over what they would be working on during practice today.
Carson subscribed to legendary college basketball coach John Wooden’s philosophy.
Wooden said he and his assistants oftentimes spent more time planning a practice than the actual practice lasted.
He liked being prepared and kept notes of each practice, both on the individual and team drills.
It helped him refresh his memory and kept the focus on what needed to be taught and emphasized during the next practice.
“I’m going to need you to handle things for a bit during practice while Drake and I have a little chat,” he informed his assistant.
Jackson swore under his breath. “Is he failing a class right now? That’s his usual pattern from the last two years, coming into the start of the season teetering on the edge.
It’s almost as if he’s playing a game of chicken and wants to see how close to another car he can drive before he actually crashes. ”
“Edith’s senior English class, for one. There may be others.”
Jackson shook his head dismissively. “Drake always pulls out of his nosedive. He will this time.”
“I hope so. Because I plan on benching him,” Carson informed his assistant. “He won’t be playing in the first scrimmage next week.”
A low whistle came from the younger man.
“You are a brave one. I’ll give you that.
And hell hath no fury like Marge Duncan coming down on you.
You do know that she’ll be here minutes after you give Drake that piece of news.
It’s like she knows everything that goes on everywhere.
And when it comes to her precious baby?”
“He’s not a baby. He’ll be eighteen next week. Drake needs to toe the line—or he’s out.”
Jackson looked stunned. “You’d kick him off the team?”
“Actions have consequences. Either Drake will improve his attitude, both in the classroom and at practice, or the Driftwood Bay Pirates will no longer need him on the team.”
“I’m glad you’re the boss and not me.” Jackson grinned. “Of course, I could make a heckuva lot of money selling tickets to the show. You and Drake. You and Marge.” Then he sobered. “I’ll back you all the way, Carson. It’s about time someone took a stand with Drake.”
“Thanks.”
“And you also have the backing of the AD. Must be nice,” his assistant said, teasing Carson about his dual role in the district.
“See you in the gym in a few.”
He went down the hall, stopping at Jon Earl’s doorway. The football coach looked up from the play he was mapping.
“I’m going to be benching Drake Duncan. He won’t play in next Tuesday’s scrimmage. We’ll go from there. Just wanted you to know when the earth shook, that’s the reason why.”
Jon Earl cackled. “You are one brave sumbitch, Coach. Marge’ll have your head.
” The older man paused. “It’s long overdue, though.
Sam turned a blind eye and let Drake get away with murder.
If I were still the AD, I’d tell you that I’d back your move.
As it is, you don’t need my approval. Good luck to you. ”
“Thanks.”
He left the field house and crossed the parking lot, entering the doors that led into the gym.
At this early point in the season, he spent about half of practice time on individual fundamentals and the other half on team skills.
After stretching for ten minutes, every practice began with dribbling, ball-handling, and shooting skills. Then he moved on to scripted plays.
Jackson was already there, and the team was coming out onto the court from the dressing room. Drake was the last to arrive. Usually, the team captain led stretching exercises, but so far, Carson had rotated players to head the session.